Human resources

Goodyear has a history of valuing its human resources, and offering associates who have the desire to excel the tools and support they need to succeed. In fact, the Corporate Research Foundation, China Business Network, ChinaHR and China Europe International Business School recently named Goodyear as the “2007 China Top Employer in Shanghai.” They chose Goodyear based on six key criteria: compensation and welfare, working environment, employee training, promotion and personal development, corporate culture and innovation.

Onboarding
Innovation is only as good as the results it produces. The Goodyear four-phase process of bringing new talent into the organization is a unique approach that contributes to improved associate engagement, productivity and commitment. Whether through planning and pre-arrival preparation, structured orientation, introductions and networking, or follow-up evaluations, new Goodyear associates receive consistent information. This is designed to help them feel welcomed, valued and connected to the company. It helps them understand Goodyear’s goals, leadership vision and their role in achieving expected and anticipated results. Outlining expectations and providing internal resources and tools ensures that Goodyear associates gain traction to be productive and to contribute quickly.

High-Performance Culture
Goodyear believes a high-performance culture improves business results, and engaged associates are the key. Engaged associates are more committed to their organization, give greater discretionary effort and have a positive impact on operations. They add value through increased productivity, creativity and improved decision making, which helps Goodyear succeed. The Goodyear approach to building and maintaining a high-performance culture starts with a survey measuring associates’ perceptions of how well their organization is currently performing against a pre-determined set of high-performance criteria. Local action plans, based on survey results, are developed and implemented, with subsequent surveys measuring improvement.

Training and Development
Managing in a global environment requires extraordinary leadership. The Goodyear high-performance leadership profile helps identify, assess and select associates and external candidates for leadership roles. This takes place through development discussions, leadership training and career planning.

Individual development plans are required as part of every associate’s performance review. A key part of associate development is Goodyear University. This innovative learning management system provides associates with 24/7 access to over 2,500 courses and more than 6,000 reference books. Blending online and instructor-led training, through experiential learning, special projects and other developmental opportunities, Goodyear delivers management and technical skills training to associates and managers in regions throughout the world. Supplemental training and development may be necessary based on individual responsibilities, experience or other requirements.

For example, in 2005, the Goodyear human resources department in Luxembourg collaborated with the unemployment office to identify a pre-hire selection profile based on certain physical, intellectual and behavioral character traits. Goodyear then began hiring production operators almost exclusively through the country’s unemployment office. To date, Goodyear has hired almost 200 people through the initiative. Luxembourg’s Minister of Labor has recognized Goodyear as an exemplary corporate citizen, and invited others to follow the company’s example.

To prepare potential employees for future opportunities with the company, Goodyear developed an eight-week training class combining specialized classroom and factory training. Working through the country’s ministries of labor and education, Goodyear hires local employees who are already familiar with the work and operations, which puts the company in a favored position in the community.

Goodyear supports a number of widely-recognized development programs through leadership commitment, financial underwriting and executive participation. It strives to build an inclusive work environment in which all associates – regardless of race, gender, age, religious affiliation, nationality, sexual orientation or preference – believe that they can achieve their professional and personal commitments.

Associate Recognition
Goodyear is among the Fortune 500 companies that continue to recognize and reward tenure among its associates. But recognition is not always counted by years of service. Goodyear acknowledges and globally recognizes associates’ value of work and their contributions toward future growth and innovation.

Goodyear annually honors associates whose work has earned patent and trade secret awards. Contributions have been recognized in areas including global product marketing and technology planning, corporate research, tire technology, worldwide global racing, global engineering and manufacturing technology, production plants, chemical and engineered products.

In the Goodyear European Union, the business unit’s overriding vision is, “Driven Together to be First.” Associate contributions to the business are encouraged and recognized by its “First with People” program. Employment Practices As a global corporate citizen, Goodyear takes its corporate responsibilities seriously and strives to achieve and maintain compliance with international, federal, state and local laws in all its facilities. Goodyear regularly submits compliance audits of its employment practices to the U.S. Department of Labor to help ensure that its practices, systems and processes are aligned with all applicable rules and regulations.

Civic Responsibility
Goodyear policies enable associates to participate in civil and government proceedings as their duty of good citizenship. Examples include jury duty, elections, appointment to public office and military obligations.

Women’s Initiatives in Leadership
Goodyear promotes diversity in many ways, including the Women’s Initiatives in Leadership (WIL) organization. WIL is an independent, nonprofit organization focused on promoting the excellence and diversity of female associates. Goodyear believes WIL helps build an inclusive work environment, and supports the organization through leadership commitment, financial underwriting of programs and executive participation on its board of directors.

Work/Life Programs at Goodyear
Some associates, whether due to single-parent homes, dual-career homes or a multitude of other factors, face difficulties in successfully balancing their careers and family lives. Goodyear recognizes these challenges and provides a variety of work/life benefits.